Hunter’s Hill wins battle to increase number of housing units

The developer of the Hunter’s Hill project in Summerland got his way Monday, as council voted 5-1 to increase the maximum allowable number of housing units there.

The bump came in the form of an Official Community Plan amendment and removal of two restrictive covenants on title that capped the development at 67 lots.

Coun. Richard Barkwill cast the lone dissenting vote due to concern for lack of council control, while Coun. Erin Carlson was absent.

Previously, Barkwill, Carlson and Coun. Doug Holmes had opposed proceeding with consideration of the developer’s request to increase the number of allowable housing units in the project because they thought council should have more control over the process.

“Given the identified development area and the minimum lot width prescribed in the country residential zone, a maximum of 148 lots may be achievable,” director of development services Corine Gain told council.

Gain advised that the developer, Patrick Murphy, had submitted a new application for preliminary layout review, including a conception subdivision layout, based on recently provided information.

The developer will be responsible for the installation costs associated with servicing the development while the district will have additional costs for maintenance of municipal services, such as water, sewer and roads.

“Increased density (with associated additional property tax revenues) could assist in offsetting some of the municipal service operation and maintenance expenses,” Gain said.